Malaysia and Indonesia are strengthening intelligence-sharing and joint enforcement efforts as drug syndicates increasingly operate across borders and employ more complex methods to evade the authorities.
The matter was among the key issues discussed at the 14th bilateral meeting between Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) and the Indonesian National Police's Directorate of Narcotics Crime (Dittipidnarkoba), Bareskrim Polri, held in Genting Highlands from Sept 2 to 4.
NCID director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan chaired the Malaysian delegation, while the Indonesian delegation was led by Dittipidnarkoba director Brigadier-General Eko Hadi Santoso.
Hussein said the meeting provided both sides with an opportunity to share their experiences in tackling drug trafficking and compare notes on syndicates with links to Malaysia and Indonesia.
"We also renewed our commitment to intelligence-sharing between both sides.
"Both Malaysia and Indonesia acknowledge the importance of working closely together and sharing information, especially when dealing with syndicates whose activities cross our borders.
"Drug syndicates do not operate within the boundaries of one country, so close cooperation and the swift exchange of intelligence are important in allowing us to take action against them," he said.
Hussein said both sides also shared updates on the investigation involving the Malaysian airline second officer arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 29.
"We shared the progress of the co-pilot case with our Indonesian counterparts and also expressed our appreciation for their swift action and the sharing of information with us.
"This case is an example of why cooperation between enforcement agencies from both countries is important. Information obtained and shared between both sides has allowed us to further develop our investigations," he said.
Police said the bilateral meeting also focused on strategic issues and the latest developments in regional drug trafficking, including the exchange of information on emerging trends and syndicate modus operandi.
Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation in operations and investigations, as well as efforts to dismantle increasingly complex and dynamic cross-border drug distribution networks.
The meeting comes amid continued cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian narcotics authorities in tackling syndicates operating between the two countries.
Most recently, an NCID team was sent to Jakarta from Aug 11 to 15 to assist investigations into the Malaysian second officer arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Information obtained during the team's visit subsequently led NCID to arrest six local men, aged between 23 and 50, in Malaysia between Aug 20 and 28.
Hussein had said the six were believed to have supplied and transported drugs for the 39-year-old second officer and played "upline" and "downline" roles in the distribution network.
The bilateral meeting also sought to strengthen institutional ties between NCID and Dittipidnarkoba, with a welcoming dinner held on Sept 2 and a gala dinner the following day.
Malaysia's delegation included NCID deputy directors Deputy Commissioner Mohd Zani Che Din and Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Zairulnizam Mohd Zainuddin @ Hilmi, as well as senior intelligence, operations, investigation and international liaison officers.
Source: NST
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<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
